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Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bees

The Alfalfa Seed Committee manages this program, which is administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture. Alfalfa leaf-cutting bees are reared in Montana primarily for pollinating alfalfa raised for seed. Because of these very efficient pollinators, alfalfa seed growers can double to quadruple the amount of seed produced per acre.

Bee diseases and parasites can dramatically decrease leaf-cutter bee reproduction. Registration and certification of leaf-cutting bees is a means of providing information to beekeepers so they can make management decisions regarding pests.